Shakhtar Donetsk Positive Ahead Of AS Roma Champions League Match

Shakhtar Donetsk rocked Group H by taking advantage of Arsenal’s failures to qualify as leaders of their section. The Ukrainians are now aiming to go past AS Roma in the Champions League’s Last 16.

Shakhtar Donetsk may be seen as the underdogs ahead of Wednesday’s clash, but captain Srna is not ready to seat back with a weak mindset. The Shakhtar player is looking forward to helping his side bring down one of Italy’s giants – AS Roma.

According to Darijo Srna, tarnishing the Giallorossi’s defence at the Stadio Olimpico should play the trick. Speaking to Calcionews24.com, he explained:

“We need to score at least one goal away from home. If we do that, then it will be easier to play the second leg of this tie. I think this will help us shift up a gear.”

Shakhtar Donetsk’s boss, Mircea Lucescu, echoed Srna’s ambition. The manager successfully guided his team to European glory in 2009 as he helped them defeat Werder Bremen in the final of the UEFA Cup tournament. He is now looking forward to reaching new heights in Europe’s most prestigious club football completion – the UEFA Champions League.

However, AS Roma could pose a huge obstacle to Shakhtar Donetsk’s ambitions. The last time the Ukrainians met the Giallorossi in Rome was back in 2006 and the game ended in an emphatic 4-0 defeat for the visitors. This time though, Mircea Lucescu is hopeful of avoiding such a result.

“But it also affects their own team. Certainly, what we learned from that last game will help us this time. I am convinced about that.”

On their way to the Last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, Shakhtar Donetsk scored 12 goals and thus two times more than they conceded. AS Roma, meanwhile, who qualified as runners-up behind Bayern Munich have defensive issues to settle.

The Italians allowed as many as 11 goals in the group stages of the Champions League whereas they got 10 at the other end. Can Shakhtar exploit AS Roma’s defensive errors?